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Omaha attorney says University of Nebraska should make selection process public

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Omaha attorney says University of Nebraska should make selection process public


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – When Trev Alberts walked away from his high-dollar position of athletic director at the University of Nebraska to take the same job at Texas A&M, the entire state was shocked.

“It wasn’t the money,” said Omaha Attorney Mike Kennedy. “He had a very good and lucrative contract. I think Trev said yesterday about leadership and a lack thereof, and I think it’s important to get this process opened up.”

Kennedy is the current Vice President of the Millard Public Schools Board of Education. He believes this entire ordeal started because of vacancies in the university’s top leadership positions.

He points to a 2016 bill — LB 1109 — which became law for the delay.

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“It exempted the university from announcing its finalist, so basically the public only get to see the one that they’ve pretty much already selected,” Kennedy said.

Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts walks on the field before Georgia Southern plays against Nebraska in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)(Rebecca S. Gratz | AP)

Kennedy wants the Nebraska Legislature to repeal that law and make the selection process of top university officials visible to the public eye.

“It’s our university,” Kennedy said. “It’s a state university. It’s a public university… the public should be a part of the process. When it’s not, bad decisions get made. I’ll just say this: We’ve had a lot of turnover in the presidency since we’ve had [LB 1109] in place.”

The university’s system President Ted Carter left to become the next president at Ohio State last fall. Alberts was the third athletic director at Nebraska-Lincoln since Tom Osborne stepped down in 2013.

But some members of the Nebraska Board of Regents would argue that they have to keep the process secret in order to attract top candidates.

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“I think having a public process, we’re going to get people come forward who actually want to be here. If you don’t want your name out in the public, then don’t apply for the job,” Kennedy said. “I know all eight of these regents care about the university or they wouldn’t take to be unpaid. But I think it’s time to open up process. That would put a timeline on it and the public could weigh in on whoever the candidates are.”

George Achola, the president of the Husker Football Letterman’s Association, believes it’s important to get the school’s top leadership in place before a new athletic director is hired.

“The president has to trust the AD, and the AD has to trust the president,” Achola said. “If there’s not a trust level within that relationship, the rest of the dynamic fails.”

Achola says his group wants more transparency — and a seat at the table when it comes to selecting new leadership at the University of Nebraska.

“I think having leadership at the top makes a significant difference on how that eventually unfolds,” Achola said. “I think we can have a say in that as well.”

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Kennedy says he has let the office of Gov. Jim Pillen know that he’ll be reaching out to the Speaker and other state senators.

He understands it’s late in the legislative session, but he hopes if lawmakers start speaking out, then maybe the selection process of a new president would move more quickly.



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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection

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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection


LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.

On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.

Arwinderjit Singh mugshot(Dawson County Jail)

During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.

After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.

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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds...
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.(Nebraska State Patrol)

Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.

Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

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“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

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“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

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Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

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Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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